Myths and Facts

Habitat for Humanity is an often misunderstood organization. How is it funded? Who purchases the homes we build? How does it affect my community? And how does Jimmy Carter fit in? We hope to address many of the myths and deliver the facts here.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity gives houses away to poor people.

Fact: Habitat for Humanity offers a homeownership opportunity to families unable to obtain conventional house financing - generally, those whose income is 25 to 50 percent of the area's median income. Partner homeowner families contribute 350 hours of "sweat equity" on the construction of their home or another HFHSL home and pay a monthly mortgage. Because Habitat houses are built using donations of land, material, and labor, mortgage payments are kept affordable.

Myth: Habitat houses reduce property values in a neighborhood.

Fact: Low-cost housing studies in the United States and Canada show affordable housing has no adverse effect on other neighborhood property values. In fact, Habitat houses have increased property values and local government tax income.

Myth: Only African Americans get Habitat for Humanity homes.

Fact: Habitat builds houses in partnership with those in need - regardless of race, religion, or any other difference. Criteria for homeownership can be found on the Becoming A Homebuyer page.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity International dictates policy and practices for every local Habitat organization.

Fact: Habitat operates through locally governed affiliates with a strong emphasis on grassroots organizations and local autonomy. Habitat affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that operate within specific service areas in a covenant relationship with Habitat for Humanity International.

Myth: Habitat homeowners are on welfare.

Fact: Some, but not all, Habitat homeowners receive Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). All homebuyers must meet income requirements in order to be considered as a potential partner family. Typically, a homeowner's annual income is 25 to 50 percent of the St. Louis area's median income.

Myth: You have to be Christian to become a Habitat homeowner.

Fact: Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization. However, homeowners are chosen without regard to race, religion, or ethnic group in keeping with U.S. law and with Habitat's abiding belief that God's love extends to everyone. Habitat also welcomes volunteers from all faiths or no faith who actively embrace Habitat's goal of eliminating poverty housing from the world.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity is an arm of the government.

Fact: Habitat is an ecumenical Christian housing organization. It is neither an arm of the government nor an arm of any particular church or denomination.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity was founded by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter.

Fact: Habitat was started in 1976 in Americus, GA by Millard Fuller along with his wife Linda. President Carter and his wife Rosalynn (whose home is eight miles from Americus, in Plains, GA) have been longtime Habitat supporters and volunteers who help bring national attention to the organization's house-building work. Each year, they lead the Jimmy Carter Work Project to help build houses and raise awareness of the need for affordable housing.

Myth: Habitat houses allow people to move from poverty to plush new houses.

Fact: Any new house is going to be a dramatic change for a family that has been living in a sub-standard conditions. But, Habitat houses are not extravagant by any standard. Habitat’s philosophy is to build simple, decent homes. Generally speaking, HFHSL homes range from approximately 1200 square feet to 1300 square feet in size. Houses have three or four bedrooms and one or two bathrooms.

Myth: Habitat homeowners sell their houses and make a large profit because of the original low cost.

Fact: Habitat founder and president Millard Fuller addresses this issue in A Simple, Decent Place to Live: The Building Realization of Habitat for Humanity (Word Publishing, 1995):

“In two decades of Habitat for Humanity…we have had no history of people selling their houses. Why? Because it’s so hard for these families to get the houses in the first place. It’s like an impossible dream come true. The fact that they can make a profit is not even an issue because they realize that if they sell it they won’t have a house anymore. And they wouldn’t be able to make any payments the way the world would demand on a new one, since the bank or someone else attempting to make a big profit would now be the lender.”

Special second mortgages that are “paid off” by living in the house, as well as first buy-back option clauses that many affiliates put into their agreements with homeowners, also help alleviate such concerns.

Myth: Habitat for Humanity has chapters in every state and throughout the world.

Fact: The truth is unfortunately… no. Although Habitat for Humanity is constantly growing in new areas, there are many places that do not have the benefits of a Habitat affiliate. Habitat operates on locally run affiliates, rather than chapters controlled by the broader organization. Affiliates are grass-roots organizations of local people coming together to address local needs. As such, the affiliates are independent, nonprofit organizations that operate within specific service areas in a covenant relationship with Habitat for Humanity International.

Myth: Sub-standard housing is such a large problem that it can never be solved.

Fact: Sub-standard housing is a huge issue. But Habitat believes that by continuing to build houses with those in need, working with other committed groups, and putting the issue of housing in the hearts and minds of compassionate people everywhere, the problem can be solved.